THE leader of Winchester City Council has announced he will step down.

Stephen Godfrey said that he felt it was the right time to leave the role after 17 months at the helm.

In a personal statement seen by the Chronicle, the 59-year-old said: "In recent weeks, I have become aware of further pressures and obligations coming my way for which I have neither the time nor energy to meet while also giving the role of Council Leader the commitment that it demands. 

“After careful consideration and consultation with many others, I have decided to bring forward my departure from this role and will cease to be Leader of Winchester City Council from 11th January 2017. 

"I will also cease to be Leader of the Conservative Group on the Council with immediate effect.”

Taking over from Cllr Godfrey who will stay on as a ward councillor, will be cabinet member for housing services Caroline Horrill.

Cllr Godfrey started his role as leader in May 2015, when he replaced Frank Pearson after a leadership challenge.

This year there have been a number of controversies at the council, which started with the Silver Hill development being set back years after the council threw out plans.

There was a leadership challenge to contend with from rebel councillor Kim Gottlieb as well as ongoing rows with him, which result in Cllr Gottleib being suspended from the Central Winchester Regeneration Group.

Cllr Godfrey said he wanted to see more of his family and his three grandchildren and wanted to lose weight, having put on four stone in the last two years.

Cllr Godfrey wouldn’t specify what the further “pressures and obligations” were but pointed to the fact the council will be losing key government funding and faces a huge financial challenge over the coming years.

Cllr Godfrey said: “It is the right time for me and my family and the right for the council, I can’t give a running commentary but there are things going on for me personally, professionally and in the council.

“As an example I have three grandchildren. One is two and a half years old, he lives in Ireland and I have seen him only four times. I have a seven week-old grandchild and I want to see more of my grandchildren.

“I have got some health issues in the last two years and I have put on four stone, and I want to get back in shape.

“The job of leader is a great privilege and one that allows me to serve Winchester in a very high profile way, but it is not something I ever aspired to and not one I ever wanted to be my life goal.

“The opportunity for me to step away suits me well and I hope it suits the council.”

Cllr Godfrey said he is proud of some of his achievements in office and said that the council is providing a “great service for everyone”, and is one of the only authorities in the country to be building new council houses.